A flying lantern festival in northern Thailand will force the cancellation of over 100 flights and the rescheduling of numerous others, officials said today.

The city of Chiang Mai plans to release hot-air lanterns that float into the sky to mark the lunar festival of Loy Krathong on Nov 6.

“We have notified the airlines and they have made adjustments accordingly,” said Apinya Mahawunchai, an official for the Airports of Thailand (AOT) authority in Chiang Mai.

According to the AOT, 112 flights have been cancelled and 50 have been rescheduled.

Last year, more than 1,000 of the lanterns landed in the airport’s grounds.

Loy Krathong is an annual festival where people give thanks to the river goddess.

- dpa